First the good news: This year’s Deloitte Holiday Survey signals another strong holiday season for U.S. retailers, with total 2016 holiday sales expected to exceed $1 trillion, an increase of up to 4% from November through Jan. 1 as an improved job market, rising consumer confidence and a bump in disposable income drives another projected increase in 2016 holiday spending.

Now the more challenging news, at least for operators and employees of department…